Universal cable management system for telecommunications rack

ABSTRACT

A telecommunications cable management assembly ( 100 ) for a distribution frame ( 10 ) is disclosed. The cable management assembly ( 100 ) includes a front plate ( 110 ) extending between first and second ends ( 110   a,    110   c ) and is provided with apertures ( 112 ) for mounting telecommunications components ( 20 ). A first side bracket ( 120 ) is mounted with the first end ( 110   a ) of the front plate ( 110 ) to the distribution frame ( 10 ). The first side bracket ( 120 ) supports cables ( 26 ) extending laterally from components ( 20 ). A second side bracket ( 130 ) is mounted with the second end ( 110   c ) of the front plate ( 110 ) to the distribution frame ( 10 ). The second side bracket ( 130 ) can also support cables ( 28 ) extending laterally from components ( 20 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/102,035,filed Dec. 10, 2013, which application claims the benefit of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/735,817, filed Dec. 11, 2012, and titled“Universal Cable Management System for Telecommunications Rack,” whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A cable management system for use with telecommunications racks orcabinets is disclosed.

BACKGROUND

A telecommunications distribution frame can be used to supporttelecommunication components that are connected to other components viatelecommunication cables, such as patch cords. In some applications,multiple rows of patch panels are provided to receive the patch cordsthat extend from the distribution frame to other system components. Itis common for additional cables within the frame to connect to the otherside of the patch panels. These additional cables are also generallyrouted to other system components, which may be within the samedistribution frame. It is known to support these additional cableswithin the frame by a horizontal shelf or bracket corresponding to eachpatch panel. The cables are attached to the shelf or bracket and act asa strain relief with respect to the cable connection to the patch panel.Where multiple rows of patch panels are provided with such aconfiguration, multiple shelves are arrayed within the distributionframe resulting in a shelf being present above and/or below eachhorizontally adjacent patch panel. Due to the presence of multiplehorizontal shelves, access to the back side of the patch panels, wherethe additional cables are connected, can be difficult. Improvements aredesired.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a telecommunications cablemanagement assembly for a distribution frame. In one embodiment, thecable management assembly includes a front plate extending between firstend and a second end with an intermediate point there between. The frontplate may be provided with apertures on both sides of the intermediatepoint for mounting telecommunications components. A first side bracketmay be provided that extends between a front end and a back end whereinthe first side bracket front end extends from the first end of the frontplate and the back end is configured for mounting to the distributionframe. In one embodiment, the first side bracket is configured tosupport cables extending from telecommunications components mounted tothe front plate between the front plate intermediate point and the frontplate first end. A second side bracket may be provided that extendsbetween a front end and a back end wherein the second side bracket frontend extends from the second end of the front plate and the back end isconfigured for mounting to the distribution frame. As shown, the secondside bracket can be configured to support cables extending fromtelecommunications components mounted to the front plate between thefront plate intermediate point and the front plate second end. It isnoted that all of the cables extending from the connectors may beextended laterally over to only one of the first and second sidebrackets as well.

The first and second side brackets of the cable management assembly maybe configured to have an extendable length such that the same assemblycan be fitted into a number of different frame assemblies havingdifferent depths. As shown, the first and second side brackets eachinclude a sleeve part and an insert part received within the sleeve partwherein the insert part is slidable within the sleeve part. The firstand side brackets may also be configured to have an aperture arrangementfor accepting cable mounts that support and retain the cables. It isalso noted that a plurality of cable management assemblies can beprovided in the same distribution frame. The distribution frame may alsoinclude other equipment such as active equipment and additional cablemanagement accessories.

A method of supporting cables in a telecommunications distribution framewithin which the disclosed cable management assembly is mounted is alsodisclosed. It is noted that the cables may be of any type, for example,copper cables and/or fiber optic cables. In one step, each of a firstplurality of cables is connected to connectors located on the frontplate of the cable management assembly. The cables are then laterallyrouted from the connectors and along the first side bracket wherein thefirst side bracket extends along a first side of the distribution framebetween the front plate first end and a back of the distribution frame.The cables are then secured to the first side bracket. In another step,each of a second plurality of cables is connected to connectors locatedon the front plate of the cable management assembly. The cables are thenrouted laterally from the connectors and along the second side bracket,the second side bracket extending along a second side of thedistribution frame between the front plate second end and the back ofthe distribution frame. The cables are then secured to the second sidebracket. In contrast to systems that have horizontal shelves, theresulting assembly and configuration provides for easy access to theback of the telecommunications connectors throughout the useful life ofthe equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout thevarious views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a telecommunications frameincorporating a plurality of cable management assemblies having featuresthat are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a portion of thetelecommunications frame and cable management assemblies of FIG. 1 withthe addition of telecommunications connectors and jacks to form patchpanels with the cable management assemblies.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of one of the individual cablemanagement assemblies shown in FIG. 1 separated from thetelecommunications frame.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the cable management assembly shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cable management assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the side brackets of the cablemanagement assembly shown in FIG. 3 separated from the front framesection wherein the side brackets are in a maximum extension position.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the side brackets of the cablemanagement assembly shown in FIG. 3 separated from the front framesection wherein the side brackets are in a minimum extension position.

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear perspective view of the cable managementassembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a side bracket sleeve part of thecable management assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the side bracket sleeve partshown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a side bracket insert part of thecable management assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the side bracket insert partshown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a cable management assembly havingfeatures that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure showing a plurality of telecommunicationscables supported by the assembly.

FIG. 14 is a photographic rear view of a cable management assemblyhaving features that are examples of aspects in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure showing a plurality oftelecommunications cables supported by the assembly.

FIG. 15 is a photographic rear perspective view a portion of the cablemanagement assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a photographic rear perspective view of a portion of thecable management assembly of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 13-16 a telecommunications distributionframe and system 10 is shown. As shown, the distribution frame 10 has afront 10 a and a back 10 b that extend between first and second sides 10c, 10 d. The frame 10 is also shown as having a top 10 e and a bottom 10f that extend between vertical posts 12, 14, 16, 18. Vertical posts 12,14, 16, 18 are shown as being formed from generally L-shaped extrusionsand are provided with mounting holes 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, 18 a forfacilitating the mounting of equipment and accessories. In theembodiment shown, the distribution system 10 is an open structure.However, it is noted that front, back, and/or side panels could beprovided to form an enclosed cabinet.

Within the distribution frame 10, a plurality of cable managementassemblies 100 are shown. The cable management assemblies 100 are forsupporting and organizing cables within the distribution frame 10. Thedistribution frame 10 is also shown as having a vertical cablemanagement accessory 142 mounted to the front of the frame 10 andlocated below the cable management assemblies 100, the vertical cablemanagement accessory being for routing cables from telecommunicationscomponents supported by the cable management assemblies 100 to activeequipment (not shown) supported by the frame 10. Frame 10 may beconfigured to support other types of accessories and equipment as well.

The cable management assemblies 100 are each shown as being formed froma front plate 110, a first side bracket 120, and a second side bracket130. In the configuration shown, the first and second side brackets 120,130 are connected to the front plate 110 to form a generally U-shapedstructure in which the brackets 120, 130 are generally parallel to eachother and are generally orthogonal to the front plate 110. In theembodiment shown, the front plate 110 is mountable to the distributionframe 10 via mounting holes 12 a, 14 a in posts 12 and 14 while thefirst side bracket 120 is also mountable at the same location. As shown,the front plate 110 is disposed adjacent and between the posts 12, 14and the side brackets 120, 130 at the mounting location. The first andsecond side brackets 120, 130 are also configured to engage withmounting holes 16 a, 18 a of posts 16 and 18 at the rear of the frame10. In one installation procedure, the first and second side brackets120, 130 are first mounted to posts 16, 18 and then mounted to posts 12,14 in conjunction with the front plate 110. As shown, the front plate110 has a height H, as indicated at FIG. 8. In the embodiment shown, thefront plate 110 height H is three rack units or about 5 inches tall(about 132.7 mm tall). Other heights are possible.

As shown, the front plate 110 can be provided with a plurality ofapertures 112 for receiving and supporting telecommunications components20. In the embodiment shown, nine apertures 112 are provided in a singlerow and are for receiving telecommunications components 20. Whereapertures 112 are not needed or desired, a cover member 114, for examplea blind plate or filler, can be installed as is shown for the centralaperture 112. One skilled in the art will understand that more or fewerapertures 112 may be provided and that each front plate 110 may beprovided with a plurality of rows instead of one row.

Telecommunications components 20 can be, for example, pass throughconnectors, splitters, and cassettes. Where cassettes are used, they canbe either copper-based such as an MIU21 type cassette or fiberoptic-based such as an MPO type cassette. The telecommunicationscomponents 20 and the front plate 110 can be configured together to forma patch panel. In the particular embodiment shown, the front plate 110is provided with two different types of telecommunications components20, however, it should be understood that the type of components 20 usedcan vary and be provided in various combinations as desired. Between afirst end 110 a of the front plate 110 and the intermediate point 110 bof the front plate 110, four copper wire-based connector blocks 22 areprovided, each of which has a field of jack receptacles 22 a configuredfor receiving patch cords with corresponding plugs. Between a second end110 c and intermediate point 110 b of the front plate 110, four fiberoptic based adapter blocks 24 are provided, each of which has a field ofadapters 24 a configured for receiving patch cords with correspondingconnectors. Other configurations are possible.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16, it can be seen how cables 26, 28 from thetelecommunications components 20 may be routed within the distributionframe 10 and each cable management assembly 100. Generally, cables arerouted from the connectors 22, 24 of the telecommunications components20 laterally over to either the first side bracket 120 or to the secondside bracket 130. As shown, copper based cables 26 are routed from theconnectors 22 laterally over to the first side bracket 120 while fiberoptic based cables 28 are routed from the connectors 24 laterally overto the second side bracket 130. As the cables are routed laterally toeither one of the side brackets 120, 130, an open space 104 is createdwithin the central region 102 of the cable management assembly 100. Thisopen space 104 allows for a person to more easily access the side of thetelecommunications components 20 that faces the central region 102 aftercables have been installed. This is an improvement over systems having aback rack or shelf in which the cables are generally routed straightback from the front face to the rear of the distribution frame 10.

Still referring to FIGS. 13-16, it can be seen that each of the cables26, 28 extend laterally away from and do not cross the intermediate line110 b. It should be understood that, although the intermediate line 110b is shown as being in the center of the front plate 110, theintermediate line 110 b may exist anywhere between the first and secondsend 110 a, 110 c such that more cables are directed to one side bracket120, 130 as compared to another. Likewise, cables may be routedlaterally away from the intermediate point 110 b over telecommunicationscomponents 20 to either the first side bracket 120 or the second sidebracket 130 such that no cable crosses the intermediate point 110 b.Additionally, it is noted that the cables 26, 28 could be routed to onlyone of the first and second side brackets 120, 130 as well, and an openspace would still be formed. However, it is noted that the cables 26, 28can be routed to either of the side brackets 120, 130 regardless of thelocation of the components 20 to which they are connected which couldresult in very little or no open space being present between the sidebrackets 120, 130.

As shown, the front plate 110 is also provided with a plurality ofmounting holes 116 for securing the front plate 110 to the distributionframe 10. In the configuration presented, the front plate mounting holes116 align with mounting holes 12 a, 14 a on posts 12, 14, respectively.Fasteners (now shown) can be provided to fully secure the front plate110 to the distribution frame 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3-12, the first and second side brackets 120, 130will be described in further detail. It is noted that the first andsecond side brackets 120, 130 are mirror images of each other, but areotherwise similar. However, it should be understood that the brackets120, 130 do not necessarily need to be the same in all respects. Thefollowing description, at certain points, refers to a side bracket 120,130. Where this is the case, it should be understood that the describedfeatures apply to both the first side bracket 120 and the second sidebracket 130.

As shown the side bracket 120, 130 extends between a first end 120 a,130 a and a second end 120 b, 130 b. The first end 120 a, 130 a is shownas being provided with apertures 120 c, 130 c such that the first end120 a, 130 a can be mounted to the distribution frame 10 and/or to thefront plate 110. The second end 120 b, 130 b is shown as being providedwith apertures 120 d, 130 d such that the second end 120 b, 130 b can bemounted to the distribution frame 10.

In the embodiment shown, the side bracket 120, 130 has an adjustablelength and can extend between a maximum length L1, as shown at FIG. 6,and a minimum length L2, as shown at FIG. 7. The extendable nature ofthe side bracket 120, 130 allows for the cable management assembly 100to be installed in different cabinets having various depths withoutrequiring a differently sized side bracket 120, 130. In the embodimentshown, the side bracket 120, 130, and thus the cable management assembly100, has a minimum length L2 of about 600 mm and a maximum length L1 ofabout 820 mm and is positionable at any length there between.

In order to allow the side bracket 120, 130 to be extendable, the sidebracket 120, 130 may be formed from a sleeve part 122, 132 and an insertpart 124, 134. As shown, the insert part 124, 134 is received by andslidable within the sleeve part 122, 132. In one embodiment, the sleevepart 122, 132 is provided with an upper channel 122 a, 132 a and a lowerchannel 122 b, 132 b. The insert part 124, 134 may also be provided withan upper channel 124 a, 134 a and a lower channel 124 b, 134 b thatslidably engage with the sleeve part 122, 132 channels. To make theinsert part 124, 134 easier to initially slide into the sleeve part 122,132, the upper channel 124 a, 134 a may be provided with a sloped tab124 c.

The side bracket 120, 130 may also be provided with an arrangement forguiding purposes, for limiting the maximum and minimum extensionlengths, and for locking the side bracket 120, 130 at a fixed length. Asshown, the sleeve part 122, 132 is provided with a pair of longitudinalslots 122 c, each of which is oriented over a fastener connection 124 d,134 d on the insert part 124, 134. A fastener 126, 136 may be providedthat can be threaded into the fastener connection 124 d, 134 d andtightened to prevent the sleeve part 122, 132 from sliding relative tothe insert part 124, 134.

The side bracket 120, 130 is also configured with a plurality ofaperture arrangements 122 d for retaining cable mounting accessories140. The cable mounting accessories 140 are for retaining the cables 26,28 along the side brackets 120, 130. Non-limiting examples of cablemounting accessories are clips, saddles cable ties, and Velcro ties orstraps. In the embodiment shown, cable mounting accessories 140 areoptical fiber network saddles. The cable mounting accessories 140 can beconfigured to support the cables in many ways, for example, accessories140 can be used to support generally straight segments of cable, slackloops, and/or cables at fan-out or break-out locations (and theindividual cables extending therefrom). The aperture arrangements 122 dare shown as being located on the sleeve part 122, 132 and include aplurality of openings to accommodate a wide range of possible mountingaccessories. To ensure access can be provided on both sides of theaperture arrangements 122 d, the insert part 124, 134 is shown as beingprovided with an open portion 124 e, 134 e. It is noted that theaperture arrangements 122 d could also be located on the insert part inaddition to or instead of the arrangements 122 d being located on thesleeve part 122, 132.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

DRAWING LIST

-   10 distribution frame 122 a upper channel-   10 a front side 122 b lower channel-   10 b back side 122 c longitudinal slot-   10 c first side 122 d aperture arrangement-   10 d second side-   10 e top 124 insert part-   10 f bottom 124 a upper channel-   124 b lower channel-   12 first post 124 c sloped tab-   12 a mounting holes 124 d fastener connection-   14 second post 124 e open portion-   14 a mounting holes-   16 third post 126 lock nut-   16 a mounting holes-   18 fourth post 130 second side bracket-   18 a mounting holes 130 a first end-   130 b second end-   20 telecommunications components 130 c apertures at first end-   22 Cu connectors 130 d apertures at second end-   22 a Cu jacks-   24 Fiber connectors 132 sleeve part-   24 a adapters 132 a upper channel-   26 copper cables 132 b lower channel-   28 fiber optic cables 132 c longitudinal slot-   132 d aperture arrangement-   100 cable management assembly-   102 central region 134 insert part-   104 open space 134 a upper channel-   134 b lower channel-   110 front plate 134 c sloped tab-   110 a first end 134 d fastener connection-   110 b intermediate point 134 e open portion-   110 c second end-   112 apertures 136 lock nut-   114 cover-   116 mounting holes 140 cable mounting accessories-   120 first side bracket 142 vertical cable management-   120 a first end accessory-   120 b second end-   120 c apertures at first end-   120 d apertures at second end-   122 sleeve part

What is claimed is:
 1. A telecommunications cable management assembly(100) for a distribution frame (10) comprising: a) a front plate (110)extending between a first end (110 a) and a second end (110 c), thefront plate (110) being provided with apertures (112) for receiving andsupporting telecommunications components (20); b) a first side bracket(120) extending between a front end (120 a) and a back end (120 b), thefirst side bracket front end (120 a) extending from the first end (110a) of the front plate (110), the first side bracket back end (120 b)being configured for mounting to the distribution frame (10), the firstside bracket (120) being configured to support cables (26, 28) extendinglaterally from telecommunications components (20) mounted to the frontplate (110); and c) a second side bracket (130) extending between afront end (130 a) and a back end (130 b), the second side bracket frontend (130 a) extending from the second end (110 c) of the front plate(110), the second side bracket back end (130 b) being configured formounting to the distribution frame (10), the second side bracket (130)being configured to support cables (26, 28) extending fromtelecommunications components (20) mounted to the front plate (110). 2.The telecommunications cable management assembly (100) of claim 1,wherein the first and second side brackets (120, 130) have an extendablelength (L).
 3. The telecommunications cable management assembly (100) ofclaim 2, wherein each of the first and second side brackets (120, 130)include: a) a sleeve part (122, 132); and b) an insert part (124, 134)received within the sleeve part (122, 132); c) wherein the insert part(124, 134) is slidable within the sleeve part (122, 132).
 4. Thetelecommunications cable management assembly (100) of claim 3, whereineach of the first and second side brackets (120, 130) further include alocking mechanism (124 d, 126) for fixing the position of the insertpart (124, 134) within the sleeve part (122, 132).
 5. Thetelecommunications cable management assembly (100) of claim 3, whereinat least one of the sleeve part (122, 132) and the insert part (124,134) have a plurality of aperture arrangements (122 d) for receiving andretaining cable mounting accessories (140).
 6. The telecommunicationscable management assembly (100) of claim 5, wherein the plurality ofaperture arrangements (122 d) are present on the sleeve part (122, 132)of each of the first and second side brackets (120, 130).
 7. Atelecommunications system (10) comprising: a) a distribution frame (10)having a front (10 a) and a back (10 b); b) at least one cablemanagement assembly (100) mounted to the frame (10), the cablemanagement assembly (100) comprising: i. a front plate (110) extendingbetween a first end (110 a) and a second end (110 c) and being providedwith apertures (112) for mounting telecommunications components (20),the front plate (110) being mounted to the front (10 a) of the frame(10); ii. a first side bracket (120) extending between a front end (120a) and a back end (120 b), the first side bracket front end (120 a)being mounted to the front (10 a) of the frame (10) adjacent the firstend (110 a) of the front plate (110), the first side bracket back end(120 b) being mounted to the back (10 b) of the frame (10), the firstside bracket (120) being configured to support cables (26, 28) extendingfrom telecommunications components mounted to the front plate (110); andiii. a second side bracket (130) extending between a front end (130 a)and a back end (130 b), the second side bracket front end (130 a) beingmounted to the front (10 a) of the frame (10) adjacent the second end(110 c) of the front plate (110), the second side bracket back end (130b) being mounted to the back of the frame (10), the second side bracket(130) being configured to support cables (26, 28) extending fromtelecommunications components (20) mounted to the front plate (110). 8.The telecommunications system (10) of claim 7, wherein the at least onecable management assembly (100) includes at least four cable managementassemblies (100).
 9. The telecommunications system (10) of claim 8,further comprising a vertical cable management accessory (142) mountedto the front (10 a) of the frame (10) and located below the cablemanagement assemblies (100), the vertical cable management accessory(142) being for routing cables from the telecommunications components(20) to active equipment supported by the frame (10).
 10. A method ofsupporting cables in a telecommunications distribution frame (10) withinwhich a cable management assembly (100) is mounted, the method includingthe steps of: a) connecting each of a first plurality of cables (26) toconnectors (20) located on a front plate (110) of the cable managementassembly (100); b) routing each of the first plurality of cables (26)laterally over from the connectors and along the first side bracket(120), the first side bracket (120) extending along a first side (10 c)of the distribution frame (10) between a first end (110 a) of the frontplate (110) and a back (10 b) of the distribution frame (10); c)securing each of the first plurality of cables (26) to the first sidebracket (120); d) connecting each of a second plurality of cables (28)to connectors (20) located on the front plate (110) of the cablemanagement assembly (100); e) routing each of the second plurality ofcables (28) laterally over from the connectors (20) and along the secondside bracket (130), the second side bracket (130) extending along asecond side (10 d) of the distribution frame (10) between a second end(110 c) of the front plate (110) and the back (10 b) of the distributionframe (10); and f) securing each of the second plurality of cables (28)to the second side bracket (130).